01/17/2007
Posted With Permission Of The National Lacrosse League
Pat O'Toole recorded 51 saves in Rochester's 10-6 win over Toronto this weekend.
The National Lacrosse League has announced the Week Number Three player awards for the 2007 season. Rochester Knighthawks goaltender Pat O'Toole earned Overall Player of the Week and Defensive Player of the Week honors, San Jose Stealth forward Jeff Zywicki earned Offensive Player of the Week honors, Brodie Merrill was named Transition Player of the Week and Kyle Wailes was named Rookie of the Week.
Rochester Knighthawks goaltender Pat O'Toole earned Overall Player of the Week and Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance in the Knighthawks 10-6 win over the Toronto Rock. O'Toole turned away 51 shots and allowed only six goals in the win. The veteran goaltender lead the Knighthawks defense as they held Toronto scoreless for nearly the entire first half, not surrendering a single goal until 13:20 into the second quarter. Rochester held Toronto to a single goal again in the third quarter before allowing four in the final frame. O'Toole also scooped up three loose balls in the win.
San Jose Stealth forward Jeff Zywicki was named the Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in a pair of games this weekend. On Friday night the second year forward lead the Stealth to a 17-16 overtime road victory over the Calgary Roughnecks, scoring seven goals in the contest. Zywicki scored three of his goals on the power play and collected three loose balls in the win. On Saturday Zywicki scored four points on three goals and an assist in a 14-11 home loss to the Arizona Sting. Two of his goals came on the power play and he also collected ten loose balls in the loss.
Brodie Merrill of the Portland LumberJax earned Transition Player of the Week honors. Merrill collected 18 loose balls and scored four points on two goals and two assists in a 14-12 road win over the Philadelphia Wings.
Philadelphia Wings rookie forward Kyle Wailes earned Rookie of the Week honors after notching four points on two goals and two assists in a 14-12 home loss to the Portland LumberJax. Wailes also collected six loose balls in the game.
Week Number Three Results
Friday, January 12, 2007
New York Titans at Buffalo Bandits: 16-14 Buffalo
San Jose Stealth at Calgary Roughnecks: 17-16 OT San Jose
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Portland LumberJax at Philadelphia Wings: 14-12 Portland
Toronto Rock at Rochester Knighthawks: 10-6 Rochester
Chicago Shamrox at Minnesota Swarm: 11-10 Chicago
Calgary Roughnecks at Edmonton Rush: 13-12 Calgary
Buffalo Bandits at Colorado Mammoth: 11-10 OT Colorado
Arizona Sting at San Jose Stealth: 14-11 Arizona
The Weekly Player Awards are determined by a vote of the General Managers and Head Coaches of the league's thirteen member clubs.
January 18, 2007
Scarborough, ON
The National Lacrosse League has announced their Week Three player awards of this 2007 season. San Jose Stealth forward Jeff Zywicki earned
Offensive Player of the Week honours.
Zywicki was given the nod for the award based on his performance in two games last weekend. On Friday January 12, 2007 the sophomore lead his Stealth with seven goals en route to a 17-16 overtime road victory over the Calgary Roughnecks. Zywicki scored three of his goals on the power play and collected three loose balls in the win. A day later on Saturday January 13, 2007 fans saw Zywicki score three goals and an assist in a 14-11 home loss to the Arizona Sting.
In the summer of 2006 he played only five games for the Redmen as he divided his time in the M.L.L. between San Francisco and Denver as well as his star performance for Team Canada at the World Field Championships in London, ON. He scored nine goals and added three helpers for 12 points in those five games. He was able to get in six of the nine playoff games played by the Redmen and he scored nine times and added 17 assists for 26 points.
www.brooklinredmenlacrosse.com
Contact: Mark Stehlin 416.525.5624
January 16, 2007
Scarborough, ON
Head Coach Ian McGough and General Manager Barry Johnson announced a deal today that they brokered with the Six Nations Chiefs
The Redmen dealt Ashton McLean, the rights to Scott Stewart (who was on the Redmen suspended list last year) and the fifth pick in the first round for the 2007 Major Series draft. In exchange the Chiefs sent Brock Boyle to the Redmen.
McGough said, “The Redmen are thrilled about acquiring a player with Brock’s abilities, he brings a winning attitude combined with his talents. He’s a top transitional player and is capable of putting the ball in the net as well. He is well liked by the guys that know him, and we really look forward to him contributing in 2007 and beyond. On the other hand. It’s always tough to trade a guy like Ashton. He has been terrific to coach, a team guy that will do anything he’s asked. He was popular as a teammate and well respected by all the coaches. This is the part of the business that is tough.”
In 2006 with Six Nations, Boyle was sixth on the team in scoring with 15 goals and 10 assists for 25 points. He is currently a member of the Minnesota Swarm of the National Lacrosse League. In 32 career NLL games he has recorded 36 total points.
Teams will gather on Sunday January 21, 2007 at Whitby’s Iroquois Park Sports Centre for a Major Series meeting as well as Major Series draft. In preparation for the draft all teams were required to submit their 25 man protected player list. The Redmen added local graduating juniors Curtis Wagar and Whitby Warrior products Shane Sargent and Colin Baker to their list.
www.brooklinredmenlacrosse.com
Contact: Mark Stehlin 416.525.5624
01/15/2007
Posted With Permission Of The National Lacrosse League
A sellout crowd of 18,690 watched as the Buffalo Bandits defeated the New York Titans 16-14 on Friday.
After Week Three, three teams remain unbeaten as the Colorado Mammoth improved to 3-0, the Portland LumberJax improved to 2-0 and the expansion Chicago Shamrox improved to 2-0. Colorado is now on an eight game winning streak including the '06 Championship Game and dating back to April of last year. The LumberJax have won eight straight regular season games dating back to March of last season and the expansion Shamrox currently sit on top of the East Division.
The Colorado Mammoth used a strong performance by goaltender Gee Nash in their come from behind win over Buffalo on Saturday. Buffalo led 6-4 at halftime but goaltender Gee Nash held the Bandits without a goal during an 18-minute stretch of the second half as the Mammoth pulled ahead, defeating Buffalo 11-10 in overtime. Second year forward Dan Carey scored the overtime game winner 4:17 into the extra period, his fourth goal of the night.
Mammoth captain Gavin Prout scored two points in the game on a goal and an assist, adding to his all-time franchise scoring record. Last week at Arizona, Prout tallied five assists in a 10-6 win over the Sting and passed Gary Gait as the Mammoth's all-time leading scorer.
Gait, the second-leading scorer in National Lacrosse League history with 1,091 points, totaled 270 points in 48 games with the Mammoth. Prout has 276 in 51 games with Colorado.
The expansion Chicago Shamrox have taken the early lead in the East Division at 2-0 after recording victories over New York and Minnesota. The Shamrox become the fourth first-year team in league history to win their first two games. In 1989 the Detroit Turbos won three consecutive to start their inaugural campaign, in 1995 the Rochester Knighthawks began 2-0 and in 2002 the Montreal Express won three straight to begin their inaugural season.
Rookie forward Josh Wasson-McQuigge scored a hat trick in including a game-tying goal late in Chicago's 11-10 win over Minnesota on Saturday. Cody Jacobs fired the game-winner while Chris Panos recorded his second hat trick in as many games.
The San Jose Stealth overtime victory over the Calgary Roughnecks on Friday cracks the record books as the longest game in NLL history. Stealth forward Luke Wiles scored the overtime game winning goal at 11:42 into the extra period after nearly 72 minutes of overall play. The previous record was set in 2004 between Arizona and Anaheim at 70 minutes and 45 seconds.
After three games with the San Jose Stealth, Colin Doyle currently leads the league with 20 points. However, Doyle has only scored two goals but has 18 assists, averaging six assists a game.
Stealth forward Gary Rosyski appeared in his 49th game for San Jose this weekend, breaking the franchise record of 48 set by Cam Woods who was shipped off to Chicago in the off season. Rosyski is the team's all-time leader in goals, power play goals, assists and points. The win for Arizona was their fifth straight over San Jose.
The Arizona Sting improved to 1-1 on the season with the win over San Jose. Dan Dawson scored eight points in the win on four goals and four assists.
The Portland LumberJax extended their regular season win streak to eight straight with a 14-12 win over the Philadelphia Wings on Saturday. Goaltender Dallas Eliuk improved to 2-0 over his former team. Eliuk recorded 44 saves and allowed 12 goals in the win.
Philadelphia has not beaten a West Division team in their last four tries. The Wings last win over a western team came on January 21st of last season when the beat San Jose 10-7. Wings rookie Kyle Wailes currently leads all rookies in scoring with ten points on five goals and five assists in two games. Wailes scored four points (2G, 2A) against Portland on Saturday.
The Rochester Knighthawks extended their regular season home dominance over the Toronto Rock, downing the Rock 10-6 on Saturday. The outcome was never really in doubt as Pat O'Toole's goaltending helped Rochester jump to quarter leads of 4-0, 5-1 and 9-2 in front of 10,321 at Blue Cross Arena. O'Toole also picked up three assists as the Knighthawks improved to 12-0 in regular-season home games against the Rock.
The Rock won't have to wait long for revenge. Toronto's next game is their home opener, against Rochester on Saturday, January 20th.
After falling to San Jose in overtime on Friday, the Calgary Roughnecks bounced back on Saturday, defeating provincial rivals, the Edmonton Rush 13-12. Ten different players scored for the Roughnecks in front of 10,702 fans in Edmonton's Rexall Place. Former Wings defenseman Dan Finck collected three loose balls in his debut for the Edmonton Rush. Calgary now leads the all-time series 4-1.
Calgary's Andrew Leyshon earned his first win in net since becoming the team's #1 goalie after losing Curtis Palidwor in the expansion draft. Leyshon let in eight first-half goals, but stepped up in the second half allowing only four.
The Buffalo Bandits recorded a weekend split, beating the New York Titans at home on Friday and falling to the Colorado Mammoth in Denver on Saturday. Buffalo played in front of 35,213 fans in two games over the weekend. In the home win over New York on Friday, a sell-out crowd of 18,690 showed up for the tilt. It was the Bandits' third sellout at the arena but the first since March 15, 1997. It represents the largest throng ever to see a Bandits home game, bettering the sellout total of 18,595 achieved twice during that first season in the downtown arena. It is the third-largest crowd to see the Bandits game at any venue and the eighth-largest crowd in league history. Several hundred hoping to purchase tickets were turned away due to the sell-out. In Saturday's loss at Colorado, 16,523 showed up for the Championship Game rematch as the Mammoth downed Bufffalo 11-10 in overtime.
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01/13/2007
Posted With Permission Of The National Lacrosse League
Shawn Evans scored three goals and one assist to lead the Knighthawks over Toronto.The Rochester Knighthawks defeated the Toronto Rock, 10-6, in front of 10,321fans at Blue Cross Arena on Saturday evening. Pat O'Toole, who held Toronto scoreless nearly the entire first half, finished with 51 saves, allowing only six goals. Rochester dominated the first three quarters of the game, and held a 9-2 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Shawn Evans led the Knighthawks offense with three goals and one assist.
Shawn Williams (2 goals, 1 assist) and Steve Toll (2 goals) also led the Rochester attack, while John Grant, Scott Evans and Stephen Hoar added singles. O'Toole also recorded three assists.
Toronto, who showed signs of life late in the game, scored four goals within the final four minutes of regulation. Aaron Wilson led the Rock offense with three goals and one assist, while Blaine Manning, Josh Sanderson and Rusty Kruger scored one goal apiece. Watson was credited with the loss in goal with 42 saves.
Rochester (2-1) meets the Minnesota Swarm next Friday at Xcel Energy Center, before meeting Toronto (0-1) in a rematch on Saturday at the Air Canada Centre.
01/13/2007
Posted With Permission Of The National Lacrosse League
Jason Clark recorded eight assists for Chicago on Saturday, as the expansion Shamrox defeated the Swarm, 11-10 on Saturday.The expansion Chicago Shamrox improved to 2-0 as they defeated the Minnesota Swarm 11-10 at Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota on Saturday. Chris Panos scored four points (3g, 1a) while Jason Clark dished out eight assists for the Shamrox. Goaltender Brandon Miller recorded 43 saves and allowed 10 goals in the win. Minnesota falls to 0-1 with the loss.
In Head Coach Duane Jacobs debut for Minnesota, the Swarm came out strong, outscoring Chicago 4-1 in the opening frame. The Shamrox closed the gap in the second period and trailed 7-5 at halftime.
After a strong defensive effor by both sides in the third quarter, Minnesota led 8-6 heading into the final frame. As the Shamrox continued closing the gap, rookie Josh Wasson-McQuigge tied the contest at 11:01 in the final frame and 30 seconds later Cody Jacobs scored what would be the game winning goal.
Brandon Miller recorded 43 saves and allowed 10 goals in the win for Chicago.
The Shamrox are at New York next Saturday night while the Swarm host Rochester next Friday.
01/13/2007
Posted With Permission Of The National Lacrosse League
Randy Daly and the Edmonton Rush were unable to hold on to defeat the Calgary Roughnecks on Saturday.The Calgary Roughnecks outscored the Edmonton Rush 4-1 in the fourth quarter to edge their provincial rivals, 13-12, in front of 10,702 fans at Rexall Place. Ten different players scored goals for Calgary, but it was defensemen Devan Wray that scored the game-winner with 2:45 remaining.
Trailing 11-9, the Roughnecks held the Rush scoreless for a 12-minute span, as they scored three straight goals to take their first lead of the game with just under six minutes remaining.
Edmonton held 4-0 and 6-3 leads early in the game, however, the Roughnecks used balanced scoring to keep the game within striking distance.
Lewis Ratcliff (2 goals, 2 assists), Kaleb Toth (2 goals, 1 assist) and Kyle Goundrey (2 goals) led the Calgary offense. Andrew Leyshon recorded 36 saves in the win.
Dan Stroup (3 goals, 2 assists) and Jimmy Quinlan (3 goals, 1 assist) each recorded hat-tricks for the Rush. Jason Wulder (2 goals, 4 assists) was also impressive in his debut with Edmonton. Pat Campbell made 43 saves in the loss.
Edmonton (1-1) hosts the Colorado Mammoth next Friday at Rexall Place. Calgary (1-1) hosts the Mammoth on Saturday at Pengrowth Saddledome.
01/13/2007
Posted With Permission Of The National Lacrosse League
The Mammoth celebrate after Dan Carey scores the game-winning goal in overtime.Dan Carey scored four goals and two assists, including the game-winer 4:17 into overtime, to lift the Colorado Mammoth over the Buffalo Bandits in a rematch of the 2006 NLL Championship Game in front of 16,523 at Pepsi Center on Saturday evening. Gee Nash and the Colorado defense held Buffalo scoreless for an 18-minute span in the second half, as the offense rattled fof four consecutive goals to take an 8-6 lead.
The Bandits led 6-4 at halftime, but the Mammoth's 4-0 third-quarter put them back on top. With John Tavares leading the troops, the Bandits rediscovered their scoring punch in the fourth quarter, as Kevin Dostie topped a 3-0 Bandits run to give Buffalo a 10-9 lead. However, Jason Bloom scored a transition goal with 1:51 remaining to notch the game at 10-10 and force overtime.
Mike Law (3 goals, 1 assist) was also impressive on the Mammoth offfense. Matt Leveque, Jamie Shewchuk, Gavin Prout and Bloom each added singles for Colorado. Gee Nash finished with 33 saves in the win.
Buffalo was led by John Tavares (3 goals, 2 assists), Dan Teat (2 goals, 2 assists) and Cory Bomberry (3 goals, 1 assist). Rookie Mike Thompson made 35 saves in the loss.
Colorado (3-0) will make a trip to Alberta next weekend, meeting the Edmonton Rush on Friday at Rexall Place and the Calgary Roughnecks on Saturday at Pengrowth Saddledome. Buffalo (1-2) hosts the Minnesota Swarm on Saturday at HSBC Arena.
January 10, 2007
Scarborough, ON
The National Lacrosse League announced their players of the week for the second week of this young season. The Weekly Player Awards are determined by a vote of the General Managers and Head Coaches of the league's thirteen teams.
Fans in Denver, Colorado are discovering what Durham Region lacrosse fans have known for years and that is what a valuable asset Gee Nash is to his team as a goaltender in this sport.
The league honoured Nash as the Overall Player of the Week after he held the Arizona Sting to just six goals as his Colorado Mammoth earned a 10-6 win on the road in Glendale, Arizona. He made 42 saves in the contest and collected six loose balls. The win helped the Mammoth to a 2-0 record to start the season after a 20-15 win at home against the visiting Rochester Knighthawks in week one.
Nash and fellow goaltender Steve Dietrich were the goaltending tandem for the Brooklin Redmen of Major Series Lacrosse last summer and fans hope to witness that same skill displayed at Iroquois Park Sports Centre this upcoming season.
www.brooklinredmenlacrosse.com
Contact: Mark Stehlin 416.525.5624
01/10/2007
Posted With Permission Of The National Lacrosse League
Mammoth goaltender Gee Nash recorded 42 saves and allowed just six goals against Arizona on Friday.The National Lacrosse League has announced the Week Number Two player awards for the 2007 season. Colorado Mammoth goaltender Gee Nash was named the Overall Player of the Week, Edmonton Rush forward Chris Gill was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Chicago Shamrox goaltender Brandon Miller was named Defensive Player of the Week, Colorado's Josh Sims earned Transition Player of the Week and Chicago's Bill McGlone was named Rookie of the Week.
Mammoth goaltender Gee Nash recorded 42 saves and allowed just six goals against Arizona on Friday.The National Lacrosse League has announced the Week Number Two player awards for the 2007 season. Colorado Mammoth goaltender Gee Nash was named the Overall Player of the Week, Edmonton Rush forward Chris Gill was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Chicago Shamrox goaltender Brandon Miller was named Defensive Player of the Week, Colorado's Josh Sims earned Transition Player of the Week and Chicago's Bill McGlone was named Rookie of the Week.
Colorado Mammoth goaltender Gee Nash was named Overall Player of the Week after holding the Arizona Sting to just six goals in a 10-6 victory on the road, at Jobing.com Arena. Nash recorded 42 saves, allowed only six goals and collected six loose balls in the win, helping the Mammoth improve to 2-0 on the season.
Edmonton Rush forward Chris Gill earned Offensive Player of the Week honors after scoring eight points in a 13-12 victory over the Philadelphia Wings at Rexall Place in Edmonton. Gill scored four goals, including one on the power play, and added four assists to lead the Rush to their first ever home victory.
Chicago Shamrox goaltender Brandon Miller secured the Week Two Defensive Player of the Week award for his performance in Chicago's 15-12 home win over the New York Titans. Miller recorded 46 saves, allowed 12 goals, tallied two assists and collected three loose balls in the first ever game for the franchise.
Colorado Mammoth transition player Josh Sims earned his second consecutive Transition Player of the Week honors for his performance in Colorado's 10-6 win over the Arizona Sting on Friday. Sims scored three goals, including a short handed goal, and collected 11 loose balls in the road victory, helping Colorado improve to 2-0.
Chicago Shamrox forward Bill McGlone was named Rookie of the Week after scoring three goals, including a short handed goal, in the Shamrox first ever game. McGlone also collected six loose balls in the 15-12 win over the New York Titans at Sears Centre in Chicago.
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01/08/2007
Posted With Permission Of The National Lacrosse League
Blaine Manning scored 80 points (28G, 52A) for the Rock last season.With a rookie coach leading the way, an offensive power missing from the roster and the 2006 number one draft pick in town, the Toronto Rock will look to improve following an 8-8 showing last season. Former Rock defenseman Glenn Clark leads the new coaching tandem in Toronto and will do so without Colin Doyle on the floor.
First year coach Glenn Clark will replace Terry Sanderson, who was released by the Rock following last year's .500 (8-8) season. Clark was a player in Toronto from 1998-2006 before finishing his career in Philadelphia last season. He was a member of five Champion's Cup winning teams while in Toronto, and was twice named an NLL All-Star Defender during his career.
The offense in Toronto will look much the same as it has in recent years, if one can look past the fact that perennial All-Pro Colin Doyle has been dished-off to San Jose in exchange for Ryan Benesch, the top overall draft pick this season. Without Doyle, Blaine Manning and Josh Sanderson will lead an up-tempo attack which finished 2nd in shots on goal last year, but eighth in goals. Matt Shearer, who contributed two game winning goals in 2006 before being sidelined by a broken arm nine games into the season, should become an important part of the Rock offense, along with Aaron Wilson who added 60 points in 2006. Benesch, the highly touted rookie out of Bloomington, Ontario will also play a key role in Toronto's success this season.
A physical style of play will be the defensive recipe for Toronto again this year. 2006 All-Star Phil Sanderson will lead the group, along with looseball vacuum Jim Veltman. The Rock defense will be called upon to support the offense this season, as Chris Driscoll and Patrick Merrill will join Sanderson in pushing the ball and creating offensive chances in transition. Stalwart goaltender Bob Watson returns for his tenth season in the Rock goal.
Patrick Merrill returns to the face-off circle for the Rock this season. He was consistent last year, winning nearly half of his draws.
The Toronto Rock open their season on Saturday, January 13th in Rochester at 7:35 pm at The Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. Rochester prevailed in three of four meetings between the two teams last year, including a 16-8 win over the Rock in Division Semifinals.
Toronto Rock - 2006 Recap
Finish: Lost to Rochester 16-8 in the East Divisional Semifinals
Regular Season Record: 8-8
Post Season Record: 0-1
Home Record: 5-3
Road Record: 3-5
Goals For: 182
Goals Against: 179
2007 Roster (as of January 10th)
6 - Dan Ladouceur, Forward
9 - Patrick Merrill, Defenseman
10 - Aaron Wilson, Forward
12 - Chad Thompson, Defenseman
14 - Rob Marshall, Defenseman
16 - Blaine Manning, Forward
17 - Kevin Fines, Defenseman
18 - Phil Sanderson, Defenseman
19 - Josh Sanderson, Forward
20 - Rusty Kruger, Forward
21 - Ryan Benesch, Forward
22 - Mike MacLeod, Forward
23 - Matt Carroll, Defenseman
24 - Matt Shearer, Forward
27 - Derek Suddons, Defenseman
29 - Bob Watson, Goaltender
30 - Mike Poulin, Goaltender
32 - Jim Veltman, Defenseman
37 - Scott Campbell, Defenseman
40 - Ian Rubel, Defenseman
41 - Brad MacArthur, Defenseman
77 - Tim O'Brien, Defenseman
93 - Chirs Driscoll, Defenseman
01/08/2007
Posted With Permission Of The National Lacrosse League
The Hall of Fame Weekend takes place on the weekend of February 16-17 in Philadelphia.The National Lacrosse League will conduct its 2007 Hall of Fame ceremonies and play the second annual NLL Hall of Fame Game on the weekend of February 16th-17th in Philadelphia. The ceremony takes place on the evening of Friday, February 16th at the Racquet Club of Philadelphia. The Hall of Fame Game takes place on Saturday, February 17th, as the Philadelphia Wings host the Buffalo Bandits in a regular season contest at Wachovia Center. The class of 2007 consists of three Hall of Fame Inductees; Wings co-owner Mike French; retired Wings player Tom Marechek and Bandits head coach and former player Darris Kilgour. The Hall will also recognize lacrosse journalist Tom Borrelli, who has covered the Buffalo Bandits and the league as a whole for the past sixteen seasons.
The ceremony will take place on the evening of Friday, February 16th at the Racquet Club of Philadelphia, 215 South 16th Street, at 9:30PM. Fans may purchase tickets to the event for $100 per person. Interested parties should contact Andrea Cannella at the NLL office via email at acannella@nll.com for more information.
The 2007 Hall of Fame Game takes place on Saturday, February 17th, as the Philadelphia Wings host the Buffalo Bandits at Wachovia Center at 7:30PM. Considering the professional lacrosse backgrounds of the four men being honored, it's fitting that the Hall of Fame Game is a regular season matchup between these longtime Eastern Division rivals. The Hall of Fame Game will also be broadcast across the US as the league's Saturday Night Lacrosse game on Versus, airing on tape delay that evening at 10:30PM ET.
"We look forward to honoring these four men on their outstanding accomplishments", said NLL Commissioner Jim Jennings. "We have a great offensive player and champion in Tom Marechek; a championship caliber player and coach in Darris Kilgour; an individual in Mike French who has served the league throughout its existence and at every possible level, and a journalist who set the standard for covering our sport in Tom Borrelli. Our second class of Hall of Fame members and those being recognized by the Hall have made immeasurable contributions to the league and professional indoor lacrosse".
The Class of 2007 will be the second group to be inducted or recognized by the Hall of Fame. Brief bios on Borelli, French, Kilgour and Marechek are enclosed below.
About the NLL Hall of Fame:
On June 16, 2005, the National Lacrosse League officially announced the establishment of the NLL Hall of Fame. It opened with five charter members who have made immeasurable contributions to the league and the sport of lacrosse. The five charter members of the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame are league founders Russ Cline and Chris Fritz; legendary players Gary Gait and Paul Gait, and the late Les Bartley, the winningest coach in league history. The charter members of the National Lacrosse League Hall of Fame were officially inducted on February 23, 2006.
NLL Hall of Fame inductees and those recognized by the Hall are voted on by the league's Board of Governors. Voting is based upon the individual's record, ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character and contributions to the league or the team(s) that individual was affiliated with. The field of candidates will consist of players, coaches, referees and team or league executives. The league will also recognize the contributions of journalists, broadcasters and others who have made a contribution to the game of professional indoor lacrosse.
Tom Marechek, Philadelphia Wings
Tom Marechek played twelve seasons (1994-2005) in the league, all with the Wings. Marechek retired at the end of the 2005 season as the league's third all-time leading scorer with 773 points on 399 goals and 374 assists. Marechek added 69 post season points on 23 goals and 46 assists and led the Wings to four championships during his career. The Wings retired Marechek's #42 on February 18, 2006, making him only the third NLL player in history to have his jersey number retired. Marechek earned eight All-Pro selections in his twelve seasons. He was named First Team All-Pro five times (1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001) and Second Team All-Pro three times (1995, 1998, 2003). Marechek was the sixth overall pick of the 1992 Entry Draft.
Darris Kilgour, Buffalo Bandits
Darris Kilgour was the first player ever drafted by the Buffalo Bandits, selected in 1991. He played nine seasons (1992-2000) in the league, eight of which he played for the Bandits. Kilgour scored 312 points on 144 goals and 168 assists. He added 61 post season points on 26 goals and 35 assists, and played on all three of Buffalo's championship teams (1992, 1993, 1996), including the only team to go undefeated in league history (1993 Bandits, 10-0). Kilgour was named First Team All-Pro in 1998 and Second Team All-Pro twice during his career (1992, 1997). Following retirement from his playing career after the 2000 season, Kilgour has made the transition from winning player to winning head coach. From 2001 to the present, Kilgour has coached his teams in to the playoffs in all six of his seasons behind the bench. Afer a pair of seasons in Washington, Kilgour returned home to coach the Bandits in 2003. In those four seasons, the Bandits have a 42-22 regular season record and two appearances in the championship game. Kilgour has quickly risen to fourth on the league's all-time coaching wins list with 66.
Mike French, Philadelphia Wings
Mike French started with Philadelphia Wings as a player in 1987. He has been with the organization through each of its 20 seasons, serving as a player, coach, general manager and his current position as Executive Vice President and Co-Owner. As a player, French led the league in goals during the league's inaugural season, scoring 14 goals in 1987 (six-game regular season). French went from player to General Manager in 1988, and presided over the start of the Wings dynasty. In his seven seasons as GM, Philadelphia went 33-17 in the regular season and 7-2 in the postseason, winning three championships (1989, 1990 & 1994). His duties with the team included a brief coaching stint in 1994, and a role as team advisor. Equally successful as a businessman, French ascended to the position of Co-Owner and Executive VP of the team in 1998, the first and only player in league history to own a significant piece of a league franchise.
As a leading team executive for the past nine years, French has served the league in several prominent roles, including as Chairman of the Expansion Committee. Since 2000, the league has expanded from eight to thirteen teams, and franchise values have increased dramatically. In addition to his league accomplishments, French was a three time All-American and College Player of the Year at Cornell University. He also served as captain of the Canadian national team during its first world championship in 1978. French is currently is the only member of both the Canadian and US Lacrosse Halls of Fame.
Tom Borrelli, The Buffalo News
Tom Borrelli is the first member of the media to be recognized by the NLL Hall of Fame. Borrelli is the most experienced member of the league's media, having covered the league since the debut of the Buffalo Bandits in 1992. No journalist has covered as many league games as Borrelli, who has covered the Bandits and the league for the Buffalo News for the past fifteen seasons. In addition to being a solid beat writer, Borrelli has a genuine love of the game that shows in his writing. He often volunteers his own time to travel to and report on league games that are outside of normal responsibilities at the News. Borrelli possesses a wealth of league knowledge, often assisting league and team media relations departments in the research and confirmation of historical league stats. He also writes about the NLL for Lacrosse magazine, the official publication for US Lacrosse. In 2005, the league first recognized Borrelli's contributions to the league by naming its new annual award for Writer of the Year as "The Tom Borrelli Award".
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